ISSN 2284-7995, ISSN Online 2285-3952
 

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Maria OJOG, Marian Vivian SÂRBU, Mihaela IORDĂCHESCU, Liliana BĂDULESCU, Viorica LAGUNOVSCHI-LUCHIAN

Rich in nutrients, especially vitamin A and vitamin C, with an impressive range of colors, sweet peppers are loved for their pleasant taste and mild flavor. Used in many different culinary recipes, peppers bring variety to the Romanian diet. People's preferences for sweet peppers are important for producers, so they can grow cultivars that are appreciated by consumers. In addition, pepper breeders are also interested in these preferences, so they can focus on creating varieties that answer the consumer's demands. This study presents a sensorial analysis of more than 40 sweet pepper cultivars in the period 2022-2024. Every year, in the first weekend of October, the Faculty of Horticulture is the host of the ”Horticultural Autumn of Bucharest” event. The visitors had the opportunity to taste and evaluate the sweet pepper cultivars. Several varieties were assessed every year, indicating how Romanian preferences have evolved during this period. The common indicators evaluated in all three years are color, taste, size, and shape. Juiciness and flavor are extra indicators evaluated only in 2022, and pericarp thickness is an extra indicator evaluated only in 2023. The best-ranked cultivar in 2022 was “Temes F1”, in 2023 it was “SVPB 1112”, and “Patrol F1” was highly appreciated in 2024. With an average production of 80 t/ha and an average selling price of 4.5 lei in 2024, the profit rate for the sweet pepper crop is close to 1.4 %, being one of the profitable crops in Romania.

[Read full article] [Citation]

OJOG M., SARBU M.V., IORDACHESCU M., BADULESCU L., LAGUNOVSCHI-LUCHIAN V. 2025, CONSUMER PREFERENCES DEPENDING ON THE VARIETY OF FRESH PEPPERS, FOR HELPING FARMERS, WHAT CULTIVARS TO GROW . Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 563-574.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Krasimir DIMOV, Evgeni PETKOV, Teodora POPOVA

In recent years the practice of culling the one day-old male layer-type chickens has been strongly criticized for both humane and environmental concerns. A possible solution for this problem is to rear the layer cockerels for meat or to use dual-purpose poultry lines. Hence, our survey aimed to assess the consumers’ preferences forcertain sensory attributes and the willingness to purchase meat from malelayer-type and dual-purpose chickens. For the objective of the study the chicken meat was derived from two poultry lines– layer type L and dual-purpose Salmon raised in the Institute of Animal Science-Kostinbrod, Bulgaria. A total of 257 respondents were involved in the survey. The latter was designed in three panels and contained 22 questions.The results indicated that the meat from both layer-type and dual-purpose birds scored higher in texture and taste in comparison to the commonly purchased poultry meat, however, the ready-to-cook chicken carcasses were smaller. The comparison between both layer and dual-purpose lines showed similar results for the meat sensory evaluation, however, the declared annual consumption gave significant advantage to the layer-type chickens.

[Read full article] [Citation]

DIMOV K., PETKOV E., POPOVA T. 2025, CONSUMERS' ATTITUDE TOWARDS SENSORY ATTRIBUTES AND WILLINGNESS TO PURCHASE MEAT OF MALE LAYER-TYPE OR DUAL-PURPOSE CHICKENS . Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 215-222.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Dimitrina STOYANCHEVA, Daniela OROZOVA

Population growth, the subsequent need to meet food needs, and other challenges facing agriculture have led to an accelerated development of innovations driven by artificial intelligence and automation. Industry 4.0 considers cyber-physical systems as a driving factor in increasing agriculture's efficiency while considering environmental issues. This paper aims to present various aspects of the processes in cyber-physical social spaces for agriculture and identify the main advantages and risks associated with the transition to production primarily oriented towards human well-being. We utilize Eurostat public data for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for the years 2021-2023 to highlight the initial level of digital transformation. Based on a survey of recent scientific work the study identifies eight categories of risk factors related to the adaptation to the new digital environment, e.g. data protection and labor market change. Furthermore, we specify the main challenges more prevalent for SMEs in agriculture. SMEs tend to show a low propensity to adopt digital technologies and therefore manifest low investment activity. Policy-makers should consider the conservatism issue, among other factors, when developing policies to accelerate digitalization in agriculture.

[Read full article] [Citation]

STOYANCHEVA D., OROZOVA D. 2025, CYBER-PHYSICAL SOCIAL SPACE IN AGRICULTURE AND RISKS. Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 805-814.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Krisztina TOTH, Razvan Ionut TEODORESCU, Eva SZABONE TOTH, Laura IOSUB, Mihai GIDEA, Georgios NTINAS, Daniel AMARIEI

This paper examines the digital transformation of agriculture in Hungary, Romania, and Greece, focusing on national policies, adoption of precision agriculture, and institutional roles. The paper is based on the EU data which have been processed using the following methods: structured desk research, comparative policy analysis, and qualitative triangulation through stakeholder surveys and sector analysis tools, ensuring that findings are both evidence-based and contextually validated. Drawing on data from EU and national sources, there are highlighted significant disparities in technology uptake - Hungary leading with 23% adoption, Romania at 10%, and Greece at 5%. The analysis informed the design of the AGRITECH project, initiated by Austria-based PAMEA, which introduced the AgriTech Manager (ATM) profile. This role integrates green and digital skills aligned with EQF and EU frameworks. The paper outlines how comparative policy research shaped AGRITECH’s learning ecosystem and supports competence-based education to drive digital and sustainable innovation in agriculture.

[Read full article] [Citation]

TOTH K., TEODORESCU R.I., SZABONE TOTH E., IOSUB L., GIDEA M., NTINAS G., AMARIEI D. 2025, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN AGRICULTURE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HUNGARY, ROMANIA AND GREECE AND THE ROLE OF COMPETENCE PROFILING IN THE AGRITECH MANAGER FRAMEWORK . Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 877-886.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Elisabeta P. CALIN (DRAGOMIRESCU), Adrian TUREK-RAHOVEANU

The article explores the diversity of traditional products in Romania and their impact on rural areas from a cultural and economic point of view. The characteristics and specificity of traditional products are analyzed, highlighting their essential role in preserving the country's different regions' cultural identity and gastronomic heritage. Then, the influence of these products on the local economy is investigated, with a particular emphasis on the development of small agricultural businesses, supporting traditional farmers and stimulating rural tourism. The article presents the importance of diversifying traditional products to increase their competitiveness in the national market, highlighting successful examples from the South Muntenia Region in their valorization. Last, a series of challenges encountered in promoting and protecting traditional products are presented, including legal regulations, market access and risks related to the loss of authenticity. The article's conclusions propose a series of solutions for supporting traditional Romanian products, considering both economic and cultural aspects.

[Read full article] [Citation]

CALIN (DRAGOMIRESCU) E.P., TUREK-RAHOVEANU A. 2025, DIVERSITY OF TRADITIONAL ROMANIAN PRODUCTS: CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT IN RURAL REGIONS . Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 139-144.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Georgi ALEKSIEV, Nadezhda PETROVA, Iskra NENCHEVA, Oleg MILEV

The Farm to Fork Strategy is part of the European Union’s ambitious Green Deal and aims to create sustainable and efficient food systems that reduce the negative impacts on the climate, the environment and public health. This strategy focuses on the transition to greener agriculture and food processes, aiming to provide enough food for a growing population without depleting natural resources and damaging ecosystems. The aim of this study is to analyse the ability of Bulgarian agriculture to achieve the goals set out in the Farm to Fork Strategy through assessment of the development of its production, trade and labour resources. To achieve this goal, the following points should be addressed: the key points of the Farm to Fork Strategy should be clearly stated; the production base and production of the agricultural sector should be valuated; labour as a significant factor should also be studied in regards to the development of new eco-policies in order to propose vectors for improvement. For the purpose of this study a policy review of the Farm to fork strategy was done. For analysis of the dynamics of production, trade and labour resources of Bulgarian agriculture data from multiple sources was used, mainly from the Agrostatistics database of the Ministry of food and agriculture and the National statistical institute of Bulgaria. The data from internal sources was aggregated and cross-referenced with the Eurostat database as well as UN databases – Comtrade and Faostat. As a result form this research we can conclude that Bulgarian fruit and vegetable markets rely heavily on imports and the local agricultural sector needs to increase its production to meet the consumer demands in order to achieve the goals set in the Farm to fork strategy of the European union.

[Read full article] [Citation]

ALEKSIEV G., PETROVA N., NENCHEVA I., MILEV O. 2025, DYNAMICS OF THE AREAS, PRODUCTION, IMPORT AND EXPORT IN FRUIT AND VEGETABLES SECTORS AND LABOUR RESOURCES IN BULGARIA'S AGRICULTURE - TRYING TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF THE “FARM TO FORK” STRATEGY . Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 43-54.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Rumena GANDEVA

The aim of this study is to assess the role of small farms in the Southern Central region of Bulgaria in achieving food security and food sovereignty. The methodological approach involves the use of comparative analysis and linear regression. The actual food production in the region for a calendar year is compared to the amount of food required to maintain a healthy diet, according to the World Health Organization. The article addresses the question of whether the average annual yields of farms are sufficient to meet the food needs of the population in the districts of Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, Haskovo, Smolyan, and Kardzhali. The results provide valuable insights into the sustainability and effectiveness of small farms as key components of regional food security and their role in reducing dependence on external food sources.

[Read full article] [Citation]

GANDEVA R. 2025, ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF SMALL FARMS IN ENSURING FOOD SECURITY AND FOOD SOVEREIGNTY IN THE SOUTHERN CENTRAL REGION OF BULGARIA . Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 313-322.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Stanimira SLAVOVA, Nevyana STANCHEVA, Teodora ANGELOVA, Jivko KRASTANOV, Daniela KOLEVA

This article is a review of studies carried out in relation to calculation of the economic impact of various productive and functional traits in dairy sheep in connection with setting economically reasoned breeding goals in the breeding programs. Milk yield was found to be considered the main selection trait ensuring the sustainability of dairy sheep farms, subsequently complemented by quality traits such as protein and fat content, and somatic cell score (SCS). It has been also established that improving the reproductive performance of animals, fertility, survival and growth rate of lambs are also important for modern breeding programs, given that a large part of the farm income comes from lamb sales. In Bulgaria, economic values and weights for dairy sheep have been calculated only for two separate flocks of the Bulgarian dairy synthetic population and so far they have not been taken into account in the breeding programs. Calculation of economic weights of productive and functional traits for this dairy population would provide valuable information on which traits are of greatest economic importance and which should be emphasized in the breeding programs.

[Read full article] [Citation]

SLAVOVA S., STANCHEVA N., ANGELOVA T., KRASTANOV J., KOLEVA D. 2025, ECONOMIC WEIGTHS OF PRODUCTION AND FUNCTIONAL TRAITS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE IN SETTING UP BREEDING PROGRAMS WITH A POSITIVE IMPACT ON DAIRY SHEEP GROWING PROFITABILITY: A REVIEW . Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 721-732.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Violetka ZHELEVA, Emil MUTAFOV, Petia BRANZOVA, Annie DIMITROVA

Organic farming plays a vital role in supporting rural areas, improving quality of life and contributing to the development of ecotourism. Offering new products with higher quality also has the potential to attract tourists and enhance regional attractiveness. This study aims to explore the relationship between organic farming and ecotourism, focusing on how their interaction can benefit the sustainable development of rural areas. The study focuses on the economic, social and environmental benefits of linking these two sectors, while addressing key challenges such as market access and the need for training in sustainable practices. Analysis in the study allows us to give certain recommendations to strengthen cooperation between farmers and tourism stakeholders, ultimately promoting sustainable growth and expanding economic opportunities for local communities.

[Read full article] [Citation]

ZHELEVA V., MUTAFOV E., BRANZOVA P., DIMITROVA A. 2025, ECOTOURISM AND ORGANIC FARMING. Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 937-945.

Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2
Written by Maria POPA, Mirel GLEVITZKY, Gabriela-Alina DUMITREL, Dorin-Victor POPA, Ioana GLEVITZKY, Ana VÎRSTA

Ecological sustainability in agriculture involves the responsible and efficient use of natural resources, promoting practices that protect the environment and ensure long-term productivity. The paper aims to achieve the conceptual design of an agricultural greenhouse, including the elements necessary for the automation of installations to accomplish optimal energy efficiency. A generalized input-output optimized model was developed for a controlled agricultural technological process of plant growth. The model can identify the functional links between the variables of an agricultural technological process and allows for the global or partial optimization of the process, based on economic-organizational and technical-ecological criteria. Considering the cycle of crop cultivation in protected spaces, a calculation is also presented regarding the optimization of the duration of the operating cycles, taking into account various factors, in order to maximize production and minimize costs, in a sustainable and economic framework. The integration of automated systems in agricultural greenhouses significantly improves efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and boosts productivity. By utilizing IoT, automation, and data logging, these systems enable optimal environmental control and remote monitoring, ultimately maximizing both economic and environmental benefits in greenhouse farming.

[Read full article] [Citation]

POPA M., GLEVITZKY M., DUMITREL G.A., POPA D.V., GLEVITZKY I., VIRSTA A. 2025, ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES THROUGH THE CREATION OF A SUSTAINABLE MODEL: A CASE STUDY OF GREENHOUSES . Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 2, PRINT ISSN 2284-7995, 619-632.

Page 3 of 9

The publisher is not responsible for the opinions published in the Volume. They represent the authors’ point of view.

© 2019 To be cited: Scientific Papers. Series “Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development“.

Powered by INTELIDEV

Management Journal